Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE Government has released ZiG20 million towards the completion of the long-awaited Filabusi Registry Offices in Insiza District, with works set to be finalised by March.
The project, which had stalled for more than two decades, is being revived under the Second Republic’s thrust of leaving no one and no place behind in national development.
Construction of the building began in 2004 but stopped in 2006 due to financial constraints. It was revived in 2018 before stalling again in 2019. Works resumed in January this year and the project is now 65 percent complete.
Once finished, the facility will enable communities in Insiza District to access passports and other travel documents locally. Currently, community members travel to Bulawayo or Gwanda to obtain such services, as the Filabusi registry staff operate from limited office space where they only issue birth and death certificates as well as national identity cards.
The initiative dovetails with the Government’s decentralisation and devolution agenda under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.
Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, said the Filabusi Registry Offices project is among key legacy projects in the province, which is set to host this year’s Independence Day celebrations.
“I recently visited the project site and I am pleased that works have gained momentum. The target is to have the project completed in March. This structure will offer a critical service to the community,” he said.
“At the moment, registry staff are operating from limited space and do not provide comprehensive services. Once the office is operational, people will be able to access passports and other travel documents locally.”
Minister Nguluvhe said the facility will also ease congestion at registry offices in Bulawayo and Gwanda, as it is expected to serve surrounding districts.
He described the development as a milestone for Filabusi and expressed gratitude to the Government for prioritising infrastructure development in Matabeleland South under the devolution agenda.
Matabeleland South Provincial Public Works Director, Engineer Sijabuliso Ncube confirmed that ZiG20 million has been availed for the project, with brickwork procurement now at 75 percent.
“The Filabusi Registry Building was initially launched in 2004 but stalled in 2006. Although revived in 2018, the project experienced another setback in 2019. Through renewed Government intervention, the project has since been resuscitated and is currently 65 percent complete,” he said.
He said significant progress has been recorded, including the commencement of carpentry works, adding that the project remains on course to meet its March deadline.
Eng Ncube said 24 general hands, six skilled workers and one qualified builder have been engaged, although additional skilled labour is required to accelerate progress.
Once complete, the facility is expected to significantly improve service delivery by bringing essential civil registry services closer to the people of Insiza District. — @DubeMatutu.
